We continue our journey through the season of "Ordinary Time", but there is nothing ordinary about this period of the Churches year. It is called this simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word 'ordinalis', refers to numbers in series, from which we get the English word 'order'.

The numbered weeks represent the ordered life of the Church - a period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons), nor in reflection or penance (as in the seasons of Advent and Lent), instead the Church focuses on growth and renewal, and looks forward in expectation of of the second coming of Christ.

Our services in our churches continue as normal, however, we recognise that through ill health, frailty, or infirmity, not everyone is able to join us every week. Therefore, if you are unable to attend in person, you are warmly invited to join in with our Rector, The Revd Mark Woodrow as he celebrates Holy Communion from the Vicarage.

The readings for today are Ecclesiastes 1:2,12-14, 2:18-23, Colossians 3:1-11, and Luke 12:13-21.

The hymns for today are, Rise and hear! The Lord is speaking, and All-creating heavenly giver.

A service booklet to accompany this service is also available to download below, alternatively please email [email protected] for a copy.

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Our next Community Social Event will be on Saturday 9th August 2025 from 2pm where we will be making scarecrows!

The theme this year is "Disney"

Straw will be provided but please bring tights, outfits and lots of imagination!

Refreshments will be available. Donations of tins and packets for the Community Pantry welcome.

Join us for a Summer Series of Coffee Concerts in Clare Parish Church, performed by talented musicians, and featuring the recently restored Schiedemayer Grand Piano.

Refreshments served from 11am.

Retiring Collection

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Join us for a simple service of Evening Prayer.

This is a FREE holiday club activity available for all children 12 and under. 5 and under need a parent/carer to stay with them, over 5’s can be signed in. ( WARNING - they may get a bit wet)

August 20th 10am – 12.30 , adults please pick up at 12.15 so they can show you what they have been doing.

Stories, craft, music, fun and games – with a Water theme

For more information please contact Rev Liz Paxton on [email protected] (WhatsApp 07932 160594) or Sarah Smith on [email protected]

No need to book, but it would be nice to know who will be coming.

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Something for the younger members of our community!
Fun and Games outside in the churchyard, with a Scavenger Hunt, Parachute Games, Kick-the-Can, and more. Bible Story Drama, Refreshments and Ice Cream!

For Pre-School and Primary School (please bring a grown up with you!)

All Welcome - NO CHARGE

Come and enjoy a Garden Party in the Vicarage, browse some of the stalls and meet neighbours old and new.

Help raise funds for Clare Parish Church

Everyone Welcome

Come and visit the church and enjoy the wonderful floral displays using the theme of Nursery Rhymes, from groups and individuals in the village.

Come and visit the church and enjoy the wonderful floral displays using the theme of Nursery Rhymes, from groups and individuals in the village.

Come and join us in Clare Parish Church for Coffee, Cake and Chat!

Fair trade Coffee, Delicious Cakes, and a change to meet up with friends old and new.

No Charge - but Donations Welcome.

Children's activities also available.

Below are the details of Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride 2025 and how you can get involved in a great day out… and help restore historic church buildings in Suffolk.

The annual Sponsored Ride and Stride is a national event, and every second Saturday in September cyclists, walkers and runners are out making money for their local county Churches Trust.

The idea started in Suffolk, and is now held across England, with Suffolk leading the table of funds raised. The Ride and Stride is the main source of income to Suffolk Historic Churches Trust to enable it to make grants to churches and chapels of all denominations towards repair and restoration costs.

Ride and Stride is run entirely by volunteers and is inter-denominational, with participants sponsored for each place of worship visited between 9.00am and 5.00pm on Ride and Stride Day or with a donation, regardless of the number of churches visited.

The money raised by each cyclist or walker is shared equally between the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and the place of worship nominated by the participant.

As important as the participants are the many volunteers who give up the day to man the churches and chapels and sign in the cyclists and walkers as they arrive. Hundreds of places of worship are manned during the day and that takes quite a team of volunteers! It is a real community effort that is the lifeblood of the Trust.

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TAKING PART IN RIDE AND STRIDE – walking, cycling, running!

1A Suffolk has been split into a number of areas, each with its Ride and Stride Area Organiser, and each parish has its own Local Organiser, who will be able to supply the necessary forms. Your local church or chapel should have details of your own Area Organiser, who can put you in touch with the Local Organiser looking after your place of worship. If you need further assistance, please telephone or email the SHCT office – 01787 883884 [email protected]

….. or

1B Download the list of churches open and the sponsorship form by clicking on these links:

Sponsorship Form 2025
https://shct.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SHCT-Sponsorship-Form-2025.pdf

Open Churches List 2025
https://shct.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SHCT-Church-List-20251.pdf

and follow the instructions in the form.

2 PLAN YOUR ROUTE – as many or as few churches and chapels as you like, wherever you like.

3 SIGN UP YOUR SPONSORS – JustGiving is the easiest way. NB: please ensure you say which place of worship 50 per cent of your money should go to.

Click HERE for some advice on using JustGiving. https://shct.org.uk/2025/06/26/collecting-via-just-giving/

4 ENJOY YOUR WALK OR CYCLE RIDE ON ‘RIDE AND STRIDE DAY’ – At manned churches they will sign your form and give you a warm welcome. At unattended churches you can log yourself.

5 AFTER THE RIDE – When you have collected your sponsorship money, please hand this over to your Ride and Stride Local Organiser or send your total sponsorship money direct to the Ride and Stride Treasurer David Gould, by cheque payable to SHCT, ensuring that you clearly identify the church or chapel you wish to benefit. David can also be contacted if you have any queries. His contact details are:

email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01473 253838

Address: 7 Karen Close, Ipswich, IP1 4LP

Thank you!!! You have helped beautiful Suffolk churches to be repaired, restored or improved for future generations.

JUSTGIVING: Click https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/suffolk-churches-ride-and-stride-2025 to enter the Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride 2025 page on the JustGiving website, where you can log into your account and donate. If you are unfamiliar with JustGiving, it is easy to set up your own online JustGiving page by selecting “Sign up” on the top right of the page and entering the details requested. Please ensure that the place of worship you wish to benefit is clearly specified.

Our churches and chapels need our help more than ever, so please support this vital annual event. Half of your sponsorship money will go to the Trust to be given in grants for church repairs, and half will go to the church of your choosing.

Cornucopia Music presents "Summer into Autumn" a free Concert in Cavendish Church.

Featuring Stour Winds Decet; The Lavender Barn Wind Quintet; Claranetti Duetti; and Cornistas!

Programme includes works by Gounod, Strauss, Holst, Rossini, Handel, Crusell, and Vaughan Williams.

Interval Refreshments - Donations Welcome to Support to the work and ministry of Cavendish Church.

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All are invited to attend this Basic Awareness In-Person Training (lasting approx. 2.5hrs)

To attend this In-Person Course you need to reserve your space:
https://insight.cofesuffolk.org/page/2/?s=Safeguarding+Basic

This Course is also available to complete online in your own home (http://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

Once you have completed the training to the level required for your role, the highest core level needs to be refreshed every three years.

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Join us for a Summer Series of Coffee Concerts in Clare Parish Church, performed by talented musicians, and featuring the recently restored Schiedemayer Grand Piano.

Refreshments served from 11am.

Retiring Collection

(This Concert is in memory of Jane Glennie)

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Churchwardens, PCC Members, Choir Leaders, Vergers etc are invited to attend this Foundation In-Person Training (lasting approx. 2.5hrs)

To attend this In-Person Course you need to reserve your space:
https://insight.cofesuffolk.org/page/2/?s=Safeguarding+Foundation

This Course is also available to complete online in your own home (http://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

Once you have completed the training to the level required for your role, the highest core level needs to be refreshed every three years.

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Churchwardens and Choir Leaders may wish to attend this Leadership In-Person Training (lasting approx. 2.0hrs) - This is a 2 session course and you need to attend both sessions, plus engage with additional "homework"

To attend this In-Person Course you need to reserve your space:
https://insight.cofesuffolk.org/page/1/?s=Safeguarding+Leadership

This Course is also available to complete online in your own home (http://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

Once you have completed the training to the level required for your role, the highest core level needs to be refreshed every three years.

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Christmas will soon be here - so come along and find that perfect gift or simply enjoy a mince pie as we prepare to get festive!

Churchwardens and Choir Leaders may wish to attend this Leadership In-Person Training (lasting approx. 2.0hrs) - This is a 2 session course and you need to attend both sessions, plus engage with additional "homework"

To attend this In-Person Course you need to reserve your space:
https://insight.cofesuffolk.org/page/1/?s=Safeguarding+Leadership

This Course is also available to complete online in your own home (http://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

Once you have completed the training to the level required for your role, the highest core level needs to be refreshed every three years.

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Christmas will soon be here - so come along and find that perfect gift or simply enjoy a mince pie as we prepare to get festive!

Christmas will soon be here - so come along and find that perfect gift or simply enjoy a mince pie as we prepare to get festive!

All are invited to attend this Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse In-Person Training (lasting approx. 4hrs)

To attend this In-Person Course you need to reserve your space:
https://insight.cofesuffolk.org/page/1/?s=Raising%20Awareness

This Course is also available to complete online in your own home (http://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/)

Once you have completed the training to the level required for your role, the highest core level needs to be refreshed every three years.

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